US3780807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gravel-packing method and composition
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1972-09-13
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A well is gravel packed by injecting a fluid suspension of coarse particles having fine grains of sand or similar material bonded to their outer surfaces. The composite particles thus employed readily bridge together to form a bed which is capable of withstanding relatively high differential pressures.
Inventors
- 👤 J Graham
- 👤 W Rickey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:13
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/80; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for the placement of a bed of solid particles in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore which comprises preparing a fluid suspension of composite particles having hard, rigid, generally spheroidal cores of a material substantially inert to fluids naturally present in subterranean formations, a coating of a bonding agent substantially inert to such fluids on the surfaces of said cores, and a plurality of smaller particles of said material bonded to said cores by said bonding agent, said cores being between about two and one-half and about 40 mesh on the U. S. Sieve Series Scale in size and said smaller particles being between about 10 and about 325 mesh in size and having aveRage diameters between about one-fourth and about onetwentieth the diameters of said core particles, and thereafter injecting said fluid suspension into said formation via said wellbore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for the placement of a bed of solid particles in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore which comprises preparing a fluid suspension of composite particles having hard, rigid, generally spheroidal cores of a material substantially inert to fluids naturally present in subterranean formations, a coating of a bonding agent substantially inert to such fluids on the surfaces of said cores, and a plurality of smaller particles of said material bonded to said cores by said bonding agent, said cores being between about two and one-half and about 40 mesh on the U. S. Sieve Series Scale in size and said smaller particles being between about 10 and about 325 mesh in size and having aveRage diameters between about one-fourth and about onetwentieth the diameters of said core particles, and thereafter injecting said fluid suspension into said formation via said wellbore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said fluid suspension is injected into a cavity in said formation through perforations in a string of casing in said wellbore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said fluid suspension is injected into a fracture in said formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said cores and said smaller particles are sand particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said bonding agent comprises an epoxy resin solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said bonding agent includes a silane coupling agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
A composite particle for use in well completion and workover operations which comprises a hard, rigid, generally spheroidal core particle of a material substantially inert to fluids naturally present in subterranean formations, said core particle being between about two and one-half and about 40 mesh on the U. S. Sieve Series Scale in size; a coating of a bonding agent substantially inert to fluids naturally present in subterranean formations on the surface of said core particle; and a plurality of smaller particles of said material bonded to said core particle by said bonding agent, said smaller particles being between about 10 and about 325 mesh on the U. S. Sieve Series Scale in size and having diameters between about one-fourth and about one-twentieth the diameter of said core particle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A composite particle for use in well completion and workover operations which comprises a hard, rigid, generally spheroidal core particle of a material substantially inert to fluids naturally present in subterranean formations, said core particle being between about two and one-half and about 40 mesh on the U. S. Sieve Series Scale in size; a coating of a bonding agent substantially inert to fluids naturally present in subterranean formations on the surface of said core particle; and a plurality of smaller particles of said material bonded to said core particle by said bonding agent, said smaller particles being between about 10 and about 325 mesh on the U. S. Sieve Series Scale in size and having diameters between about one-fourth and about one-twentieth the diameter of said core particle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composite particle as defined by claim 7 wherein said material comprises quartz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite particle as defined by claim 7 wherein said material comprises tempered glass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composite particle as defined by claim 7 wherein said bonding agent comprises a phenolic resin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composite particle as defined by claim 7 wherein said bonding agent comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composite particle as defined by claim 7 wherein said bonding agent includes a silane coupling agent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |